Protests, Free Speech, and America

Without Freedom Of Thought, There Can Be No Such Thing As Wisdom- And No Such Thing As Public Liberty Without Freedom Of Speech.~ Benjamin Franklin

Over the past several days, I've given a lot of thought to the recent words of President Trump, the protests currently gripping the NFL, and the subsequent wave of opinions from American citizens. Seemingly everyone has a take on this controversy. Indeed, the other day in my classroom we strayed into this topic during a class discussion on the Spanish-American War and American Imperialism at the turn of the century (trust me, it fit and it worked in the grand scheme of things). I was impressed and a little shocked at their knowledge of the subject and their reasons for their opinions. Like the rest of the nation, students were passionate about their views and felt compelled to express them. However, unlike Facebook Land, the students were able to express their opinions respectfully and calmly. Interesting observation, not sure what that means or says, just an interesting sidenote. I, like most of my students, have my own thoughts on the protest and what President Trump said. I also believe this whole controversy is a prelude to a larger issue that is slowly swelling within American society.

I Disprove Of What You Say, But I Will Defend To The Death Your Right To Say It.~ Voltaire

Sunday all across the NFL more than half of the players either took a knee during the national anthem or simply did not come out of the locker room during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. In Tennessee, the young lady who sang the national anthem took a knee immediately after singing. Taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem is not really anything new, but the sheer numbers that took part were. Personally, it does bother me when someone does not stand up for the national anthem or the Pledge of Alliegence. I am proud to be an American, I know I am so fortunate to have been born here rather than somewhere else. I have the utmost respect for the brave men and women who have and are currently serving our nation to protect the freedoms that we so cherish. I am fully aware that freedom is not, nor has it ever been free. Our freedoms have been paid for by the sacrifices, the blood, and lives of our soldiers. That is what the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Alliegence means to me. That is why I stand at rapt attention with my hand firmly over my heart when these exercises in patriotism take place. In fact, when the Pledge takes place at Pomona, it is usually during my planning period so it is just me alone in my classroom, and I never fail to stand up, with my hand over my heart as I recite the Pledge along with the intercom.

I also understand that others have the right to freedom of speech and if others feel that kneeling for the national anthem is their right under the auspices of free speech then so be it. This is why 291, 557 Americans gave their lives during WWII, so that we would not be compelled by rule of law to stand with our arms extended straight out as we shout "Sieg Heil!" to an image of the Fuhrer. I do not like the protest, I wish they could find a different way to express their views because it is bothersome. However, their act has ignited a conversation and shone a light on their cause. They are not acting violently- creating a violent situation is one of the limits of free speech- they are quietly taking a knee, bowing their heads and are otherwise remaining respectful of others during the playing of our National Anthem. I don't like the act, but I respect their right to do so.

This solemn act of protest is in direct contrast to those who carried tiki torches chanting "Jews Will Not Erase Us!" and a German Nazi chant "Blood and Soil!" in Charlottesville, Virginia this past July. If the actions of the so-called Alt-Right was acceptable as an exercise of free speech, despite the provocative nature of their protest, and the fact that they were attempting to defend, or at the very least, support not one but two nations that the United States decisively beat in an 80-year time span, then surely the simple act of kneeling and bowing one's head during a three-minute protest is just as acceptable.

On some social media sites, I have seen the following indignant argument against the NFL protest: "Tim Tebow was ridiculed and driven from the NFL because he took a knee. Let That Sink In."  Allow me to respond. I truly don't remember Tebow being widely ridiculed because of his taking a knee in prayer. In fact, I do remember "Tebowing" being a fairly popular fad. President Obama famously did it on top of his desk in the Oval Office. School children held mass Tebowing demonstrations as the Broncos improbably played their way into the playoffs that year. Tebowing was done not out of condemnation, but just the opposite, a way of honoring Tim Tebow. Furthermore, he is no longer in NFL because he was a terrible NFL QB. His religious beliefs were not the obstacle, the obstacle was his inability to accurately deliver a downfield throw with any alacrity. Now think about this; The protest in Vicksburg, that many saw as an exercise of legitimate free speech, was to protect the "heritage" of the South and held by a group who had many wearing Swastikas and chanting Nazi slogans. Over 360,000 American soldiers were killed to defeat the South and 291,557 soldiers were killed to defeat Nazi Germany. 650,000+ American soldiers were killed to defeat the two nations that were being defended by those who claim were simply exercising their free speech rights in Charlottesville. 650,000+ Amercian soldiers killed in 80 years to beat these ideologies. Now, let that sink in.

Free Speech Carries With It Some Freedom To Listen.~ Supreme Court Justice Warren Earl Burger

Hopefully, you didn't believe that I was only going to hammer Right Conservatives, a group I am finding myself in agreement with less and less, and not condemn a group with whom I've rarely found myself in agreement with; Left Liberals.

On college campuses across the country, there have been protests and outcry from far-left liberals over conservative speakers being brought onto campus to present their ideas. At Cal-Berkley a scheduled speech by conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was cancelled twice because of threatened violent protests by liberal student groups. Berkley was planning on setting up "Mental Health Assitance" tents on campus to help students who were feeling anxiety or otherwise having trouble dealing with the presence of conservative speakers such as Yiannopoulos. Seriously... I am not making that up. A few days ago, Yiannopoulos did show up on the Berkley campus in an attempt to deliver his message despite his invite being rescinded. The backlash was immediate and severe. Various liberal student groups showed up to shout down Yiannopoulos and his group. Predictably, the other side became just as vociferous. The real irony here? Yiannopoulos and his group were to be a part of "Free Speech Week" at Cal-Berkely. Free Speech Week at Berkley was cancelled...twice. That's right, Cal-Berkley had to cancel Free Speech Week.

Similar scenes and protests have played out at college campuses across the country. This is very troubling because colleges are precisely the arena where young people should be exposed to various ideas, philosophies, and thoughts. It is in institutions of higher learning that students should engage in open debate about the tenents of these ideas. However, increasingly this doesn't seem to be the case. More and more there seems to be a backlash, often violent, against ideas that seem to go against the "American liberal ideals". This is inexcusable. If you feel attacked or intimidated by the mere presence of opposing ideas, what does that say about the strength of your ideology? If the strength of your ideas cannot even entertain opposing ideas, then your ideas are inherently weak.

I am secure in my ideas about how society and government should work, secure enough that I am willing and able to calmly engage with ideas that are opposite of mine, even those ideas that I find abhorrent.  In fact, my views have been altered or outright changed from engaging with other ideologies. I still adhere to my core beliefs of keeping the government off my back and out of my pockets, but because of my interactions over the years with other people and ideas, I am not as steadfast as I once was. And that's okay. That's what should be the outcome by listening to and engaging with various ideas, views and theories. I certainly never felt so intimidated or frightened that I needed a so-called Safe Zone. That is simply preposterous. If you feel that scared by thoughts opposite of yours, then your ideas are inherently weak and you know it but are unwilling to admit it. Now, let that sink in.

Freedom Of Speech Is Often Inconvient. But That Is Beside The Point. Inconvenience Does Not Absolve The Government Of Its Obligation To Tolerate Speech.~ Justice Anthony Kennedy

To say that I am disheartened by the lack of tolerance for free speech by both sides of the political debate would be an understatement. We live in a time that it seems to be more important to prove that you are absolutely right in all debates. And if you are unable to do that, then you must prove that the other side is absolutely wrong. There can be no in between. I'm not sure, how or why we came to that point. Is it because of the advent of social media and our inability to interact with it in a mature manner because of its relative newness? Or is it because of the lack of decorum in our political leaders and their increasing unwillingness to compromise? I'm not sure.

What I am sure of is this; if we spend less time being offended by everything that we don't agree with and spent more time engaging with other people and ideas we would all be better off. No one side is absolutely correct and no one side is absolutely wrong. Republicans do not have all the right answers and Democrats do not just come up with wrong ideas. Conservatives are not the sole keeper of patriotism and Liberals do not have a monopoly on intellect. Thomas Jefferson in an attempt to quell partisanship upon assuming the presidency said: "We are all Federalists and we are all Republicans." FDR once stated that he was "that kind of conservative and that kind of liberal." If we all lived up to these words, our society would have a lot less discord.

We are all Americans, we should begin to act like it.